Following the team with a unique perspective on all things Phillies.Email me: PhilliesPhollowers@comcast.net – Peace, Love & Baseball – Jenn

Half Way Through Spring

Having gone past the half-way point of Spring Training, the paring down of the Phillies roster has begun.The first fourteen cuts included pitchers Phillippe Aumont, Yohan Flande, Scott Mathieson, Drew Naylor, J.C. Ramirez, Jesus Sanchez, Joe Savery and Bill White; position players cut were catchers Tuffy Gosewisch, Kevin Nelson and John Sumoi; infielder Freddy Galvis; and outfielders Quintin Berry and Tyson Gillies.You will notice that all three of the players involved in the Cliff Lee trade are on the list.

One of those players, Aumont, had a very rough start in camp in an exhibition game.But after that, he made a solid 2 2/3 inning appearance where he did not allow a run.J.C. Ramirez did not fare as well, appearing in two games and allowing 3 runs over 4 1/3 innings.Both pitchers are still early in their development and we may not have a real sense of their worth for some time to come.

The third player from the Lee trade is Tyson Gillies who showed some real potential.He ended his trip to camp with a .286 average in 7 at-bats, including a home run, a double and 2 RBI.Gillies told the press that camp was a huge learning experience for him and was especially grateful to manager Charlie Manuel for his words of advice; Gillies said, “Charlie told me the things I need to work on, slowing things down. Slower. Slower when I’m hitting. He wants me to be slow with the feet, and quick with the hands. Basically just stay back a little bit more. Keep my hands and everything back and try not to lunge at everything. Let the ball come to me.”

While it is endearing to hear those comments from a young player, it also leaves one to wonder what exactly the coaching staff in Seattle has been doing…or not doing.Gillies has been in the minors since 2007 and no one ever told him not to lunge at the ball?Or even how to properly approach an at-bat and hit the ball?It is no wonder then why so many young players develop so many bad habits.Seems that “coaching” may be a lost art…

Those players that remain in camp will slowly be whittled down to the final 25-man roster.Starting pitchers, like JA Happ, will see a steady increase in innings.Happ went 4 solid yesterday in a 5-4 win over the Twins.He allowed just one hit and struck out 3.Kyle Kendrick followed today with 4 solid innings of his own, allowing 2 hits.Kendrick remains on the heels of Jamie Moyer in the competition for the 5th starters spot.

As for the hitters, here is a look at the batting averages for each player still in camp, with at least 5 at-bats:

W Valdez

.750

R Gload

.294

B Bocock

.455

J Castro

.273

C Utley

.438

R Howard

.250

P Polanco

.375

J Rollins

.250

D Wise

.375

B Francisco

.235

D Brown

.350

C Ransom

.200

O Chavez

.333

F Galvis

.182

G Dobbs

.333

J Werth

.136

B Schneider

.333

R Ibanez

.115

J Mayberry

.318

C Ruiz

.100 Bottom of Form

S Victorino

.313

Chase Utley and Placido Polanco lead the pack among the regular players.And as expected, Polanco’s transition from 2nd to 3rd base has been very smooth.He had one rough game right at the start for his only error of Spring, but has been great ever since.Polanco has 17 assists and turned 5 double plays in 42 innings of work.

As for the still rehabbing players, Brad Lidge is doing well and will start a Double A Spring game on Thursday.Manager Charlie Manuel announced that is Lidge is not ready in April, Ryan Madson will be given the closer duties.JC Romero is also progressing, but will not be ready for Opening Day; he did throw some breaking balls today for the first time since his surgery and depending on how he feels over the next few days, he may get to throw to hitters this week.

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